House GOP Leader Endorses 'Nuclear Option' In Senate (VIDEO)

[Agnosticsherbet]

House GOP Leader Endorses 'Nuclear Option' In Senate (VIDEO)
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on Sunday said that Senate Republicans should change the filibuster rules.

On NBC's "Meet the Press," host Chuck Todd asked if he would support a rules change in the Senate eliminating the filibuster for legislation.

McCarthy said it's not "nuclear" when "57 percent of the Senate voted for the Collins amendment that would take away the president's action."

"That's not nuclear, when 57 percent of the American representation says it's wrong. That's not in the Constitution. I think they should change the rule," he said.

I am not surprised, though some may welcome it, this is actually very dangerous to our Democracy. The founding fathers feared the tyranny of majority, where 50% + one voter could run roughshod over minorities. The filibuster rules when they worked as conceived, were a check on a runaway majority.

If Republicans do this then a majority can pass whatever they want, and only a president willing to wield the veto pen can hold them at bay. If we extend these rules past 2016, which I expect, and they hold the Senate, then the minority party will have no power except to complain. Should we lose the White House then there will be no check on the majority at all.

[world wide wally]

1. Gee Harry…. Who would ever have guessed?

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. I think Harry made the right decision, and Republicans will likely make the wrong decision.

With the Republicans defending 20 seats to the Democrats 10 in 2016, hopefully we will retake the Senate and it can serve as a barrier between the White House and the Republican Congress.

[bemildred]

3. I hope they do. That should finish them off in US politics for good.

And remove one of the many fig leafs the Congress has installed for its waste, inaction, and folly.

[Chathamization]

4. Good. We'd be much better off without the filibuster. And my understanding is that the "virtual

filibuster" (where a politician doesn't even have to talk) is something that's only ~40 years old.

[Agnosticsherbet]

5. The filibuster rules have changed overtime.

I am of the opinion that reducing both the Senate and the House to passage by simple majority for most bills is a good thing.